Tourists Consider Re-Routing Vacations To Bali As Thai-Cambodia Conflict Worsens 

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Leaders in Bali are preparing for a surge in tourist arrivals over the next week, as travellers consider re-routing their vacations to the region.

As border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia escalate, some tourists are working to reschedule their plans. 

Speaking to reporters, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) for Bali Province, explained that he can foresee a shift in travel trends as a result of the conflicts in the region.

He told reporters, “It’s true that there’s been an impact on tourist visits to Bali. Because Bali is considered conducive. That’s true; the overflow from vacations to Thailand is indeed coming to Bali.”

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Suryawijaya shared that despite the crisis, he hopes that the surge in tourist visits isn’t only due to the conflict. He is hopeful that tourists genuinely want to travel to Bali and Indonesia more broadly. He also expressed his concern about the conflict and called for leaders and fellow nations in the Southeast Asian region to avoid war at all costs. 

Suryawijaya shared, “As human beings, we are certainly concerned about the war between Thailand and Cambodia. We are of the same race, and something like this shouldn’t have happened. The war had more negative impacts, both on people and the environment. A country that had been painstakingly built could be devastated.”

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He noted, “There’s no concrete data yet on the rerouting of flights from Thailand to Bali. But it appears the increase in visits is 10-15 percent.” Adding “But we’re still monitoring this week. [Assessing] is that plan really true? It’s just that it’s still normal, just an increase in the passenger load factor, so an increase in the number of passengers.”

Suryawijaya acknowledged that, as Bali is still in the height of the high season and as tourism data is published with a one-month delay, it is too early to tell how the conflict in Thailand and Cambodia is impacting travel to Bali. He noted that Bali’s target occupancy rate for August is projected to reach 75-85%. 

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He shared, “From the perspective of the tourism industry, especially hotels, they are always ready. Because in Bali, there are already more than 160,000 hotel rooms. When the occupancy rate is only 75-80 percent or 70-80 percent, that means we still have 20-30 percent of available rooms.”

He shared how Thailand and Bali welcome similar demographics of tourists and have an appeal to the global travel market. Suryawijaya added, “Bali and Thailand both have strong international branding. So the impact isn’t limited to one market segment, but extends across almost the entire globe.”

He added that within the context of global geopolitics and tourism, it is important for Bali to maintain its reputation as a safe and high-quality destination.

He said the current post-election period is helping to create positive momentum for Bali to continue strengthening its position as a pillar of the national economy. “Almost 60 percent of Bali’s economy is supported by the tourism sector. Therefore, it is crucial for all stakeholders to unite and support each other so that Bali can continue to be a quality and dignified destination.”

Echoing Suryawijaya’s sentiments, Perry Markus, Secretary of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali, shared that he feels Bali could provide tourists looking for an alternative to Thailand right now with a viable option.

He told reporters, “This pattern could occur because tourists want to travel in safe and comfortable places,” Adding, “We hope that this will be followed by increased occupancy rates and longer tourist stays.”

Australia’s Travel Advice Bureau, Smartraveler, issued updated guidance for tourists traveling to Thailand as of the 26th July 2025.

The advice stipulates “Due to the ongoing armed conflict along the Thailand-Cambodia border, we now advise do not travel to areas within 50 kilometres of the Thailand-Cambodia land border throughout the provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Sa Kaeo, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi, and mainland Trat. Follow the advice of local authorities, including when navigating maritime areas near the maritime borders.”